PLANS for new flats to be built in Taunton – right on the edge of where housing is planned for the Firepool site have been approved.

Somerset West and Taunton Council approved outline plans on Thursday (January 30) for the former HSS Hire outlet on Priory Bridge Road to be converted into 20 flats.

The site lies close to part of the Firepool site which has been earmarked for apartments within the council’s masterplan for regenerating the local area.

But the council’s planning committee chose to approve the proposals after being assured they would not jeopardise or undermine the wider Firepool efforts.

The council unveiled its vision for the Firepool site in June 2019, splitting the site into six blocks which could be developed for different purposes at different stages.

Block 1, at the south-eastern corner near the River Tone, has been subject to “strong interest from residential developers”, with the council aiming to provide at least 20 new apartments with good views of both the river and Somerset County Cricket Club.

The council subsequently indicated in November 2019 that this section of the site could suitable.

Daniel Foster of the Wells-based Salmon Planning Company – which is representing the applicants – said that building these flats would not undermine the Firepool regeneration efforts being pursued by the council.

He said: “The Firepool masterplan simply indicates a frontage of buildings onto the River Tone (between the existing Viridor offices and Waters Edge) and new buildings fronting onto Priory Bridge Road.

“In our view, there is no inherent incompatibility between the application now made here and the adjacent outline approval granted for Firepool.”

Planning officer Denise Grandfield said the town centre would not suffer from the loss of this retail unit, which has been vacant since June 2019.

She said in her report: “The benefits of providing residential development on this site, in a primarily residential area, outweigh any loss of employment opportunities the site may potentially provide in the future.

“The site is in a sustainable location and can be protected from flooding.”

The committee voted to approve the plans. A reserved matters application, specifying the layout and design of the new flats, will be submitted later in the year.